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"Is
Your Cup Full"
“I stilled a hungry infant’s cry
With kindness, filled a stranger’s cup.
And lifting others found that I was lifted up”
..........unknown author
Over
the past few weeks I have been ask the same question. How can I
continue to serve others, go on mission trips and pay my own
way, often times even paying for the materials needed to repair
some of the homes I work on? Wow that’s a big question,
especially since I started with one project in 1987 and now do
12 or more a year. I answered with “God provides”. And He
has provided for all my needs, as well as expense money when it
was needed.
Over the years it seems as if things have
just grown and adjusting to the cost has came easily for me. But
somehow I knew there was more to it than that, so I have both
pondered and prayed about how Gods provision has continued. My
answer is all found in the Bible, and every Christian should
know it, many even better than I.
I started a new life in 1986 with two
changes of clothes and $753.00 dollar in my pocket, no vehicle
and a minimum wage job, living in my sisters basement, driving a
car borrowed from my brother, no credit and few friends. I
struggled tithing, but I knew I must, God says we should. God
also doesn’t want us in debt, and I sure wasn’t nor
couldn’t get there. God gave me many open doors and I walked
in most of them. He provided the funds from out of nowhere to
purchase a vehicle. He gave me a better job with better pay; He
blessed me with a wonderful wife who has helped me grow in my
walk with Him. He opened the door for me to purchase a home with
sweat equity. He provide while I rebuilt my life and credit.
During this time and since I have tithed regularly, most often
well over the average for my income, you see as God increased my
income, I could give more because I never raised my standard of
living. I had no need for a newer vehicle, and the time I have
needed a newer one He has placed one in front of me I could pay
for. The plan He had given me was to live within my means, not
by what I could afford on payments. The cup he gave me has never
changed sizes.
Luk
12:15
Then he said to them, "Be
careful to guard yourselves against every kind of greed, for a
person's life doesn't consist of the amount of possessions he
has."
Luk
12:16
Then he told them a parable. He said, "The
land of a certain rich man produced good crops.
Luk
12:17
So he began to think to himself,
'What should I do, since I have no place to store my crops?'
Luk
12:18
Then he said, 'This is what I'll
do. I'll tear down my barn and build bigger ones, and I'll store
all my grain and goods in them.
Luk
12:19
Then I'll say to my soul,
"Soul, you've stored up plenty of good things for many
years. Take it easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself."'
Luk
12:20
But God said to him, 'You fool!
This very night your life will be demanded from you. Now who
will get the things you've accumulated?'
Luk 12:21 That's
how it is with the person who stores up treasures for himself
and isn't rich toward God."
Each time my cup has filled I take the
overflow and put in someone’s cup which is empty. God can take
me anytime he wishes. An overseer will disburse any thing I have
and my wishes are for it to go to those who are in sincere need.
So why shouldn’t I help all those I can while living. After
all God has provided it all and He has warned us against putting
what He gives in a larger cup. Besides the less I have when I
leave this earth the less there will be for family and children
to argue over.
Another point is trusting God. These
questions came up as I stepped out; as I have many times over the
years to fund a project myself, even when doing so would create
a burden on myself. This is about trust and obedience to God.
I have learned to place my trust in God and
when He lays something on my heart, I must be obedient and do
whatever it is He ask. I have found that through obedience He
will provide whatever it is, money, help or words as long as I
follow His bidding provision has come. It has never come in
advance, and sometimes even after, but provision has always
arrived when it was needed. Don’t get me wrong, you can’t
jump up and do something “thinking” God will provide or
reimburse. You have to “believe” He will do it. And it must
be something He directed you to do.
Anyhow, if your cup is full, maybe God
wants you to help the single parent down the street out with her
bills, maybe he wants you to help the elderly couple who can’t
afford to pay there homeowners insurance or the contractor who
will be making repairs. You could make a difference in
someone’s life just by getting dirt on your hands. Maybe even
the kid who needs a computer for there studies. Maybe God gave
you the extra so you could help some struggling church. You
don’t really need the newer vehicle, or the bigger
house…….nor the fancy clothes.
Next time the thought of helping someone
comes, listen it may well be God talking to you.
Next time you get the bonus, talk with God
before you spend it, it could be He wasn’t giving it to you,
but through you for someone else.
Read Matthew
6
Read Luke
6
It is not about keeping yourself saved;
it is about proving yourself saved and obedience is the only
proof.
Clyde
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